Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-07-20
CHAPTER xxx.
CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

Half all hour passed in silence, which was
only broken by tho footsteps of the sentries
as they tramped, or ruther loitered, up and
down, or by the occasional fall of some cal
cined masonry from. the walls of the burned
out house. What between the smell of smoke
and dust, the heat of the sun on the tin roof
above, and of the red hot embers OF the house
in front, the little room where Bessie was shut
up was almost unbearable, and she felt as
though she should faint there upon the sacks.
Through one Of the cracks in the wagon house
wall there blew little draught. and by this
crack Bessie placed herself, leaning her head
against the wall so as to get the full benefit
of the air and command view of the place.
Presently, several Of the Beers came into the
wagon house and proceeded to pull some of the
carts and timber out of it, leaving one buck
wagon, however, placed along the wall on the
side opposite to the crack through which she
was looking. Then they pulled the Scotch
cart over to her side, laughing about some
thing among themselves as they did so. and
arranged it with its back turned toward the
wagon, supporting the shafts upon wagon
jack. Next, out of the further corner of the
place, they extracted an old saw bench and
set it at the top Of the open space. Then Bes-
sic understood what they were doing; they
were arranging a court, and the saw bench
was the judges chair. So Frank Muller
meant to carry out his threat!
Shortly after this all the Beers, except those
who were keeping guard, filed into the place
and began to Chamber on the buck wagon,
seating themselves with much rough joking
in double row upon the broad side rails.
Next appeared Hans Coetzee, his head bound
up in q bloody handkerchief. He was pale
and shaky, but Bessie could see that he was
but little the worse for his wound. Then
came Frank Muller himself, looking white
and very terrible, and as lie came the men
stopped their joking and laughing. Indeed,
it was curious to observe how strong was his
ascendcncy over them. AS rule, the weak
part Of Boer organization is that it is practi-
cally impossible to get one Boer to pay defer
ence to or obey another; but this was cer-
tainly not the case where Frank Muller was
concerned.
Muller advanced without hesitation to the
saw bench at the top of the space, and sat
down on it, placing his rifle between his
knees. After this there was q pause, and
next minute Bessie saw her old uncle con-
Quoted in by two armed Beers, who halted in
the middle of the space, about three PAGES
from the saw bench, and stood one on either
side Of their prisoner. At the same time
Hans Coetzee climbed up into the Scotch cart,
and Muller drew q note book and pencil
from his pocket.
"Silence!" he said. awe are assembled here
to try the Englishman, Silas Croft. by court
martial. The charges against him are that
by word and deed, notably by continuing to
fly the English flag after the country had
been surrendered to the republic, he has trait
orousy rebelled against the government OF
the country. Further, that he has attempted
to murder burgher of the republic by shoot
ing at him with loaded rifle. If these
charges are proved against him he will be
liable to death, by martial law. Prisoner
Croft, what do you answer to the charges
against you"
The old man, who seemed very quiet and
composed, looked at his judge and then re-
piled:
II am an English subject. only defended
my house after you had murdered one of my
servants deny your jurisdiction over me,
and refuse to plead"
Frank Muller made some notes i'll his pocket
book, and then said, Il overrule the prison.
er's objection as to the jurisdiction OF the
court As to the charges we will now take
evidence Of the first charge no evidence is
needed, for we all saw the flag flying. AS to
the second, Hans Coetzee, the assaulted
Gurgher will now give evidence. Hans
Coetzce, do you swear in the name of God and
the republic to speak the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth9"
"Almighty, yes" answered Hans, from the
cart on which he hid enthroncd himself, $50
help me- the dear Lord"
"Proceed then"
II was entering the house Of the prisoner to
arrest him, in obedience to your worshipful
commands, when the prisoner lifted gun
and fired at he. The bullet from the gun
struck Inc OH the ear, cutting it and putting
me to much pain and loss of blood. That IS
the evidence have to give"
"Thats right, that is not lie" said some
of the men OIL the wagon.
"Prisoner, have you any question to ask
the witness?" said Muller.
II have no questions to ask; deny your
jurisdiction, said the old man with spirit.
1.-THE prisoner declines to question the wit
ness, and again pleads to the jurisdiction, q
plea which 1 have overTuled. Gentlemen, do
you desire to hear any further cvidence?"
"No, no."
"Do you then find the prisoner guilty of tho
charges laid against him9'
ayes, yes" from the wagon.